Always by your side

Chapter 3

Kim 

it is almost time to leave the shooting location when i see her stroming from the building, clenching her fist, shoulder tense and eyes flood with tears. 

what the heck  happened in this building ? 

i did not know her yet, but i was ready for war to remove tears from her eyes. 

Laure - 1 hour ago 

"What do you mean you don't want to show the presentation you used?" I snap.

"I have no reason to do so," Jordan chuckles.

All the executives rise from their chairs and leave the room, while Jordan walks slowly toward me, whispering so only I could hear him.

"Who do you think you are, Laure?" He pauses, winking at me. "Welcome to corporate America."

As I take my computer and walk to my desk, all conversations stop, and only the whispers of some brave souls echo in the open space. I should have known this would happen, but I wasn't expecting it so soon. I had two choices: either fight back or quit. Quitting wasn't really a good option since I needed to pay my rent, but staying wasn't the best solution either. I had no Plan B or Plan C. I blamed my confidence; I thought I was irreplaceable and that everyone loved me. But as Jordan said, this is corporate America. It wouldn't take them more than two weeks to find a new Laure. I could die, and they wouldn't care.

Maybe it was time to do what I wanted—start working in a better environment or a new city. Everything is possible in life. I raise my head, watching the sky that had been a little cloudy a few minutes ago starts to clear. I can remove those clouds too, and i was only one decision away from a clear coast: quitting.

My fingers flew over my keyboard, already knowing what to write. Drafting my resignation took me five minutes, and with one click, I quit, sending the letter to all the executives. There was no need to talk to my VP, as no one had taken my side at the meeting. With my bag on my shoulder and a confident smile on my face, I walked toward the exit. As I expected, nobody tried to stop me, and they couldn't care less as they were overwhelmed with work.

My confident smile faltere as I enter the elevator. 

What did I do? 

Tears threaten my eyes, and I blink, trying not to ruin my makeup and keep my dignity. But everything evaporate when I step outside the building. For the past two years, I had worked my butt off to become a senior director, not counting the hours and always ready to jump into any project. 

For what? 

A stupid supervisor cancel me because I didn't accept his offer to go on a date with him ?

 Well, I hope he enjoys my present. 

I might have quit without saying a word, but I said everything in my resignation letter, with proof of Jordan using me as his backup to do his work while he had an extramarital relationship with his secretary. 

People assume because I'm a small blond woman in a male-dominated environment, I'm sweet and nice. But they couldn't be more wrong.

You bite me, I will bite you back.

" Laure, huh, Wait !" i hear someone yell at me, i turn my head and see jordan sweating, running his finger thought his hair that already seems mistreated; fighting for their life, on the top of his head. 

I roll my eyes and continue walking outisde the building but a firm hand grab my arm and furry boilt inside me. 

" do you not touch me !" 

" Delete this email right now !" exclam jordan with his face reddening by the minute, his vein next to his right eyes throbing, ready to explode. his voice seems so far away, nausea hiting me making my skin crawls.   

" i told you to stay still Laure"

" Good girl don't fight"

" Release her arm "  warn a dead voice behind me pulling me out of my transe. 

Jordan release my arm, and I was pull into the warmth of His arms as he hugs me from behind. The sudden embrace took me by surprise, but the familiarity of his touch and the steady beat of his heart against my back sooth my racing thoughts. I lift my head and see his cold glare aims at Jordan, whose eyes widen as he raises his palms in a defensive gesture.

"Chill, dude, we're just having a conversation," Jordan says, his eyes darting nervously between us. "Right, Laure?"

The man holding me tighten his grip, staring at Jordan with a deadpan expression. Silence hung in the air, and I decided to use this bold move to my advantage. I placed my hand on his arm and gently squeezed.

"Thank you for picking me up, huh, baby," I whisper, turning my face toward him.

His eyes flickered at the word "baby," but he keeps me in his embrace, not letting go.

"Anything for you, Baby," he whispered back.

Jordan's face contorte with annoyance. 

"Oh, so that's why you were so bold earlier? Because you have backup?" He paused, then sneered, "Let me tell you, dude, she's a bitch and—"

Before he could finish, my savior release me, take my hand, and lead me far away from Jordan, but stops abruptly at the next intersection.

"Are you okay?" he asks, concern evident in his voice.

"Um, yes, thank you " I stammer, dipping my chin as a flush crept up my cheeks. I try to pull my hand back, but he tightens his grip.

"Look at me."

No, how could I look at him while my cheeks were flushed crimson, and I had just experienced the most humiliating moment ever in front of such a handsome man?

He gently lift my chin with his fingers. "I said, look at me."

When our eyes met, I was greeted with the most beautiful eyes. They were chocolate brown, but as the clouds parted and the sunlight broke through, they turned a warm chestnut. They were dark and mysterious, holding countless secrets. His cologne linger around us, a scent of citrus strong enough to make me want to be closer to him, to be enveloped in his essence. We stayed in that comforting gaze until a car honked nearby, breaking the moment.

I step back and straighten my dress. "Uh, thank you," I babble. 

Gosh, I could lead 30 men at work but couldn't even talk to one in my personal life. I need to escape this situation right now.

"Where do you think you're going? I saved you, now you have to pay for the service," he chuckles, whispering in my ear. 

In what mess have I gotten myself into now?